Dennis Rodman: Showbiz Athlete

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Rodman has had a professional career that many players would only dream of. He has led the NBA in rebounding for seven consecutive years and played on league championship teams a total of five times: twice with the Detroit Pistons, and thrice with the famed Chicago Bulls. His talent brings backbone media attention to the teams he is part of, with an average of 13.2 rebounds per game in 12 NBA seasons.

When he played for the Lakers, Los Angeles gave him license to be crazy as ever. It seemed that he found a new home for himself. He was part of a winning team with a great reputation, and he could be as wild as ever in the city of show business. He found himself a home sweet home. But once again it wouldn't last as his free for all attitude would hurt his professional career. He was dismissed by the Lakers after showing up late for several practices and missing others. Rodman indicated he would like to continue playing in the NBA, but apparently no other teams wanted to sign him.

Then came the Dallas Mavericks who wanted to bring him on board. He was always the typical bad boy on good teams, but it was time to see how he would react in a losing team that hasn't won a playoff game since 1988. Cuban knew what Rodman was all about, and the team needed a little spice at the time. He wants to go out a winner. He wants to go out producing and he wants to show people the champion that he is. The coach and general manager Don Nelson said I think everybody is kind of ready for a bit of a gamble .

rodman's gamble

Cuban and the management desperately wanted Rodman on-board. They knew that this unique player would be a great addition to the team both professionally and promotionally. Cuban allowed Rodman use of his 4,000-square-foot guesthouse in Dallas so that his future star player could be in town while negotiations took place. Once the deal was signed, and Rodman whipped himself into shape and learned the Mavericks' plays, he wasn't required to practice with the team. Cuban agreed to let Rodman ride a courtside exercise bike during the team's training and workout during each session.

His stay in Dallas was a short one of 29 days and 13 games, where the team only won four games. Meanwhile, Rodman had two ejections and a one-game suspension. Needless to say that management was not at all happy. Another possibility is that their investment in bringing Rodman to town paid off in the amount of ticket sales they expected. Rodman, now more than ever, was brought in as a promotional stunt to increase attendance for home games. Since he didn't deliver the goods, they let him go and gave younger players a chance.

There you have it, a basketball superstar that took the world of basketball by storm and gave it a new fame. He allowed the sport to be picked up and watched by more people that perhaps only tuned in to see what color his hair was going to be for the game. Whatever it takes, as long as people watch the game and buy tickets, Rodman will keep doing what he does.